PROTECT

The Protect concept proposes relocating the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier to a new location south of fields point. A berm and barrier system could be modeled after the Maeslantkering Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands. This would consist of a barrier, flood gate, and levee system. The barrier would span the southern end of Fields Point across the mouth of Providence Harbor, tying into existing elevation in Providence and East Providence. The Field's Point Barrier, in this scenario, would be about 25ft high, which would protect from a 21ft surge with 4ft for wave run up. This design height is similar to the height of the Fox Point Barrier. For reference, Save the Bay sits at about a 21ft elevation. For a list of advantages and disadvantages, scroll down.

The flood gate would only close in the event of a storm. When open it would rest on dry docks. As the dry docks are flooded, the each side of the gate swings closed and meet in the center of the channel. The weight of water will sink the gate walls to the seafloor to seal off the area North of Fields Point.

This is a model of Maeslantkering Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands. Credit: DeltaWerken.com

Once the gates close the weight of the water sinks the gate walls to the seafloor, making a seal. Credit: DeltaWerken.com

The levee system associated with the flood gate would run in front of Save the Bay and Johnson and Whales from the flood gate system. The levee could incorporate many uses including a pedestrian/bike path and bleachers for the Johnson and Whales University sports fields.